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TOPICS

Fraud

Money launderers duping banks, says Senate report ( www.senate.gov/~gov_affairs/020501_psi_minority_report.htm ).

Professional Issues

New charter for Public Oversight Board increases its powers, staff and funding (not yet posted on POB Web site). Effective February 9.

Banking

Debt requirements set for banks with financial subsidiaries ( federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/press/boardacts/2001/20010119/default.htm ). OCC releases privacy obligations advisory for banks ( www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/advisory/2001-2.doc ). Survey shows that banks are raising their loan standards ( federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/snloansurvey/200102/fullreport.pdf ).

Employee Benefits

Labor department rule bolsters security of small pension plans ( www.dol.gov/dol/pwba/public/media/press/pr101900.htm ). Effective April 17.

Top 10 Audit Deficiencies

Editor’s note: The information contained in this article is specific to the auditing and assurance landscape on or about the date it was authored, including references to Generally Accepted Auditing Standards in effect at that time. To ensure you have the most recent and relevant information on audit and assurance issues,

Financial Reporting

FASB issues employee compensation guidance ( www.rutgers.edu/accounting/raw/fasb/eitf/eitfissu.html#00-23 ). FASB issues an exposure draft on accounting for goodwill ( www.rutgers.edu/accounting/raw/fasb/news/nr021301.html ). The comment period ended March 16. Accounting for financial asset transfers, servicing addressed in FASB report ( accounting.rutgers.edu/raw/fasb/project/125summary.html#Q&A ). SEC issues final rule that says mutual funds must disclose after-tax

Auditing

For news from the AICPA and state societies, visit www.cpaweb.org , which also offers online CPE, AICPA professional literature, practice management aids and links to state society Web sites. SBA earns high marks for internal control framework ( www.sba.gov/news/current01/01-08.txt ).

Legal

SEC adjusts civil penalty amounts for inflation ( www.sec.gov/rules/final/33-7946.htm ). Effective February 2.

FYI

IIA sponsors report on audit committee best practices ( www.theiia.org/ecm/bookstore.cfm?doc_id=1257 ). GAO appoints new members to auditing advisory council (Not yet posted on GAO Web site). New members appointed to FASB ( www.rutgers.edu/Accounting/raw/fasb/news/nr_schipper.html ; www.rutgers.edu/Accounting/raw/fasb/news/nr_wulff.html ). Bush names SEC Commissioner Unger as acting chairman ( www.sec.gov/news/press/2001-20.txt ). Labor department sets

International

EU wants all listed companies to use international accounting standards by 2005 ( www.iasc.org.uk/news/cen8_193.htm ). G4+1 shuts down as IASB starts up ( www.rutgers.edu/accounting/raw/fasb/IASC/g4+1jan01.html ). IASC establishes international accounting standard-setting board ( www.iasc.org.uk/news/cen8_511.htm ). U.K.’s audit board seeks feedback on standards convergence handbook ( www.asb.org.uk/publications/publication320.html ). Comments are due by

Investments

SEC acts to improve mutual fund directors’ independence ( www.sec.gov/rules/final/34-43786.htm ). Effective February 15.

Mergers And Acquisitions

“Shadow panel” says more “financial modernization” legislation needed ( www.aei.org/shdw/shdw166.htm ).

Technology

UN-led international alliance releasing e-business version of XML ( www.oasis-open.org/news/oasis_news_12_12_00.shtml ). AICPA picks 2001’s top 10 technologies ( http://toptechs.aicpa.org ). For daily news from the AICPA and state societies, visit www.cpaweb.org , which also offers online CPE, AICPA professional literature, practice management aids and links to state society Web sites.

Fraud

Attempted check fraud soars, says American Bankers Association ( www.aba.com/Products/PS98_218950.htm ). SEC alerts auditors to fraudulent financial reporting techniques ( www.sec.gov/news/speeches/spch454.htm ).

Small Business

SEC creates Office of Small Business Policy ( www.sec.gov/news/digests/12-14.txt ).

Professional Issues

NASBA’s CredentialNet facilitates equivalency verification for interstate practice ( www.nasba.org/nasbaweb.nsf/lp ).

Banking

New capital structure for federal home loan banks ( www.fhfb.gov/PressRoom/press/PR00-38capitalrule.htm ).

Financial Reporting

Levitt ends his tenure at SEC ( www.sec.gov/news/press/2000-192.txt ). FASB tentatively decides against write-downs of preexisting goodwill ( www.rutgers.edu/Accounting/raw/fasb/news/nr122000.html ). SEC, standard setters recommend reporting financial instruments at fair value ( www.sec.gov/news/speeches/spch436.htm ; www.rutgers.edu/Accounting/raw/fasb/news/nr010501.html ) FASB’s derivatives group adds to guidance on Statement no. 133 ( www.rutgers.edu/Accounting/raw/fasb/ ). FASAC survey

Auditing

Chief accountant says SEC will enforce new independence rules ( www.sec.gov/news/speeches/spch445.htm ). SEC answers frequently asked questions on auditor independence ( www.sec.gov/offices/account/audinfaq.htm ). GAO: Many federal agencies are mismanaged, unprepared for audits ( www.gao.gov/pas/2001/d01241.pdf ).

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

What small firm CPAs need to know

In a new JofA column, the AICPA’s small firm advocate answers questions about making A&A services and peer review more manageable, dealing with frequent tax law changes, and planning for retirement.